Mercury the Messenger
Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Raphael Simons, a psychic reader, astrologer (Western and Chinese forms) and feng shui expert. Raphael is the best selling author of Feng Shui, Step by Step, Feng Shui Strategies for Business Success: Arranging Your Office for Success and Prosperity, and The Feng Shui of Love. Raphael’s books on Feng Shui have sold worldwide and been translated into over twelve languages. Read Raphael’s blog here.
Kala: Raphael, a good portion of the world recently embraced a news report which stated that western astrology is wrong and off on their calculations roughly about a month. As well, the report stated that there are 13 astrological zodiac signs, rather than the current twelve. What’s your take on this report?
Raphael: It is a big confusion between ideas on sidereal astrology and tropical astrology. Sidereal astrology is based on ideas of divisions of the constellations. An example of this kind of astrology is Hindu astrology. The Hindu astrology has a system of signs that are approximations of constellations, and these signs/constellations follow the precession of the equinoxes. The precession of the equinoxes is the affect of the earth’s tilt. It takes approximately 27000 years for the entire cycle of the precession to be completed. What this does is causes the vernal equinox to slip backwards little by little through the constellations every year. Where we are currently is in the far end of Pisces going backwards into Aquarius. In other words, we are coming from the age of Pisces into the age of Aquarius. There is no consensus of opinion exactly when this occurs.
Tropical astrology, which is the standard form of Western astrology, is based on the Zodiac. The Zodiac is named after the constellations, but it is not measured by the constellations and never drifts. Vernal equinox in tropical astrology is always 0 degrees Aries. In sidereal astrology it is claimed that the vernal equinox happens somewhere in Pisces. We must not confuse the two systems. Tropical astrology is based in mathematics and geometry. It starts the zodiac at the point where the ecliptic, or Sun’s path intersects the earth’s equator on it’s northbound course. The ecliptic is the Sun’s apparent path in relation to the earth. Vernal equinox is when the Sun crosses the equator going North. Fall equinox is when the Sun crosses the equator going South. Summer solstice is the northernmost reach of the Sun’s path. Winter solstice is the southernmost point of the Sun’s path. The ecliptic in Tropical astrology is divided into 12 divisions, 30 degrees each. And these 12 divisions are called the zodiac signs. All of the planets travel along the ecliptic path along with the Sun and Moon. Tropical astrology is a perfect system based in ancient theories of harmonics, mathematical ratios and geometry. It should not be confused with ideas of sidereal astrology. Tropical works. There is no 13th sign.
Kala: You’re a chinese astrologer as well as a western astrologer. Do you connect with one more than the other? What are the biggest differences between chinese and western astrology?
Raphael: I like both systems. I use both, and enjoy them. They both amplify one another when seen side by side, but I have no preference.
Kala: Raphael, what do you think this means for consciousness on a global scale at this time? I’m surprised and shocked to see so many people who have taken the opinion of one astronomer as fact and are declaring that they are a new zodiac sign. They don’t appear to question the information or the fact that astrology is thousands of years old in practice. What is happening in our world that so many would accept one person’s opinion in a viral internet posting and allow it so quickly to change their beliefs?
Raphael: What I think is that there is a great deal of confusion happening these days. We can see the recent rash of noise about the 13th sign in the lunar eclipse chart of 12/21/10. In it, Venus was square Neptune, Neptune was in the 3rd house. This means that through the news department came a great confabulation of delusional nonsense.
Kala: What’s the future for astrology? Will this publicity raise awareness for astrology or cast a doubting shadow on the practice?
Raphael: I think the publicity was deliberately planted in the media to destroy public belief in astrology. Good astrologers see what the powers that be don’t want the public to see. There is a great deal of dishonest and obscurantist propaganda circulating in the media to keep the people from knowing what is going on. It is in the best interest for astrologers to learn astrology and not fall into these crazy ideas. The future of astrology is probably that it will continue being used and people will continue learning it. It proves itself time and time again to be true, and that is all that matters.
Kala: There are thousands of articles by astrologers with predictions for 2011 by zodiac signs for each person, but it’s rare to see an astrologer who will offer predictions for countries by their birth sign. Some would say the U.S. for example, was born on July 4th, Independence Day, others might say it was the date when the Constitution was signed, others when it was ratified. Do you offer astrological predictions for countries by their birthdates and if so, what do you see coming for the U.S. in 2011?
Raphael: The birth charts for nations are useful and are a part of mundane astrology. Mundane astrology means astrological world predicting. The more important charts to make in mundane astrology are the charts for the equinoxes and solstices, the new and full moons, solar and lunar eclipses and major planetary configurations as seen over the various capitols of the world. Natal charts for the nations are used as well as charts for currencies and stock market indices. The chart for 7/4/1776 works. It is useful to refer to it in mundane forecasts as it is useful to refer to the natal charts of the other nations. For the UK, for instance, we refer to the chart made for the coronation of William the Conqueror on December 25, 1066 at noon. It always registers events in the UK.
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More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom.